The Voice of the Martyrs' blog, sharing powerful stories and timely information that invites and inspires American Christians into fellowship with their persecuted family around the world.

Posts from November 2016

November 30, 2016

"We all serve someone. Those who serve sin and the Devil end up in bondage (John 8:34). Those who serve the Son end up free (v. 36). Paul was ridiculously happy to serve the Lord and considered himself the Lord's prisoner (Eph. 4:1). Imprisoned for and by and with Jesus is not only liberty, it is a calling. Humans do not send us to prison when we are sent for the gospel's sake. God calls us to prison. Therefore, our primary goal is to not escape from prison or seek deliverance from trouble or evacuate from countries that are disintegrating. Our goal is to glorify Jesus and walk worthy of His calling - the call to be His prisoner."

November 28, 2016

Dr. Sasan and Dr. Mehrdad are providing theological training for church leaders in Iran through PARS Theological Centre. It is a challenge even to connect with students in a closed Muslim nation, let alone train them up to lead churches and withstand persecution.

Listen to this VOM Radio interview to hear some of the unique challenges of training leaders in the context of persecution, where Christians often wonder who they can trust. We'll also hear about some of the blessings that come to those willing to suffer rather than deny their faith in Christ, and how you can pray for the fast-growing church in Iran.

November 24, 2016

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!Call upon His name;Make known His deeds among the peoples!Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;Talk of all His wondrous works!Glory in His holy name;Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!Seek the Lord and His strength;Seek His face evermore!Remember His marvelous works which He has done,His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,O seed of Abraham His servant,You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

November 23, 2016

It took a horrific attack on her church for Emily to realize that her understanding of God was wrong. Three years ago, her bishop asked her to move to a new church plant near Mombasa, Kenya. The Joy in Jesus Church in Likoni was struggling, and the bishop thought Emily could help. Over the next several months, the church grew to 60 people.

On Sunday morning, March 23, 2014, most of the faithful were scattered throughout the pews. Assistant Pastor Philip Ambesta was speaking that morning, and Emily was in the front row. In the middle of his sermon, there was a loud bang outside and heads turned to look, but Pastor Philip told everyone, “Ignore what is going on outside these walls and listen to what God has to say to you.” He continued to preach.

Moments later, two gunmen burst through the back door. One, armed with a machine gun, sprayed the congregation with bullets. From her seat at the front, Emily turned and saw the other gunman aim a hand gun straight at the platform. He fired, and Pastor Philip fell, dead.

It was chaos. The gunmen fled. Everyone was screaming. Blood was everywhere and people were running. Emily moved among the members, reassuring everyone and offering first aid. She made sure an ambulance and police were called. The ambulance couldn’t carry all the injured, so Emily helped them prioritize which victims needed the most urgent help.

Six people died that day, including Pastor Philip. 24 others were injured, and VOM has helped four of the most severely injured with their ongoing medical care for the past two years. Emily herself wasn’t injured, but she was left with deep scars on her soul.

She struggled to understand why God would have allowed the church to be attacked. She believed that God must have been punishing them for their sin. Emily returned to her home church in Mombasa, discouraged.

But she continued to read God’s Word. As she did, she realized God wasn’t punishing them. In the Bible, she read how Jesus promised His followers they would be persecuted for His sake. She saw that sin compels evil men to commit evil acts, especially against those who follow the God in whom there is no darkness. She realized that God’s promises to work for our good and to bless us mean not financial good, but spiritual good. Persecution is a promise, not a punishment.

Today, Emily describes the gospel as a “bitter gospel.” She says, “I teach the bitter gospel of the cross and the blood. You have to accept taking up the cross.”

Dory P. recently spent a week in Kenya, meeting with the believers who VOM serves alongside. While many people think of Kenya in terms of safaris and mission trips, in the northeast and along the coast, Christians face severe persecution by al-Shabaab affiliated Islamists. She was encouraged how Kenyan Christians are supporting persecuted believers and sharing the gospel in their own country.

November 21, 2016

"Steve" and "Mai" left behind the American Dream to serve God in Southeast Asia--a place Mai had left decades before as a refugee and said she'd never return to. But God began to call them, and Steve and Mai submitted to His will.

It wasn't easy, especially leaving children and grandchildren in the United States to move to Asia. But as God opened each new door, Steve and Mai said "yes" to His plan. God led them to set up a simple recording studio with used equipment they purchased on eBay. Steve went online and taught himself basic audio editing skills. Today they are producing Christian radio programs and Christian music in the language of Mai’s tribal people; Steve edits the programs even though he doesn't speak Mai's tribal language.

Steve and Mai's story will inspire and encourage you that when God calls, He will always provide what is needed to accomplish His plans if we’re willing to say "yes," and take the next step. What door is God asking YOU to walk through for His Kingdom?

November 18, 2016

Tohar Haydarov was quietly released from prison in Uzbekistan on Nov. 8. He had served nearly seven years of his 10-year prison sentence and was released for good behavior. He may face parole conditions, and authorities verbally told him not to get in trouble or he would return to prison. Authorities had told him earlier this year that a parole in his case "would not happen."

Tohar was imprisoned in 2010 for allegedly selling large qualities of drugs, although fellow church members say the charges were falsified, and he was accused only because of his Christian faith.

Fellow Christians told Forum 18 News, "We are thankful to everybody who prayed for him and sent letters to him while in prison." They ask for continued prayer for him.

Tohar was one of the prisoners featured on VOM's web site for Christian prisoners, www.PrisonerAlert.com. Christians from all over the world wrote letters to him at the prison where he was held, and also wrote to Uzbek government leaders on his behalf.

Thank you to all those who prayed for our brother, Tohar, and wrote letters to him and on his behalf. Continue to pray for other prisoners still held in prison for their faith.

November 17, 2016

Recently a team from VOM's sister mission in Holland, SDOK, visited northern Kenya. While there, they visited a church in Garissa that was the sight of an attack by radical Muslims in 2012. Here is their video report from the church:

November 16, 2016

More than two years ago, I was handed a slip of paper with the name “Nguba Buba” on it.

Nguba Buba. Remember her name, please.

Nguba Buba was one of the 276 girls kidnapped on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram militants who stormed her school in Chibok, Nigeria. She was a young girl, a 16-year-old who attended church and loved Jesus. When she was kidnapped, she was ripped away from her studies, her potential to take her exams, and to go to college.

Nguba is one of more than 2,000 children stolen from their parents by Islamic militants since 2014. Many of the boys were armed and forced to shoot people, some from their own villages. Those who refuse were killed. The girls were forced to convert to Islam, compelled to become servants, used as prostitutes, and married off to their captors, often, men old enough to be their fathers.

Nguba was forced at gunpoint to get onto a truck in the middle of the night. They drove for hours into the Sambisa Forest under the cover of darkness. During the ride, around 50 of the girls managed to jump off and escape.

The 219 remaining stayed in Boko Haram custody. Many were advocating on their behalf and the campaign #BringBackOurGirls attracted huge amounts of attention. The government negotiated for their return, with no results.

As time passed, fewer and fewer people remembered Nguba and her friends.

Their grieving parents began succumbing to stress-related illnesses. At least 18 died of these illnesses. Another three died in Islamist attacks. In 2015, Boko Haram would use 44 stolen children as suicide bombers, many of them young girls like Nguba.

In May 2016, one of the 219 was discovered. After escaping, she arrived at home with a 4-month-old baby, the child of a Boko Haram fighter.

On Oct. 13, parents and relatives finally had something to celebrate. Negotiations had finally been successful, and 21 of the girls were freed. Nguba was not among them. No one really knows her fate. There are 114 Chibok girls who are unaccounted for. Some are believed to have been killed. Others, may wish to stay with their abductors.

Please remember Nguba’s name. Remember that she was once a schoolgirl who planned to finish her exams at Chibok. She was a Christian. She had parents and siblings and a hope for the future that was stolen. Remember that she and each of the other 2,000 other children who were stolen still need your prayers.

The names of the 21 girls who have been released thus far:

More than two years ago, I was handed a slip of paper with the name “Nguba Buba” on it.

Nguba Buba. Remember her name, please.

Nguba Buba was one of the 276 girls kidnapped on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram militants who stormed her school in Chibok, Nigeria. She was a young girl, a 16-year-old who attended church and loved Jesus. When she was kidnapped, she was ripped away from her studies, her potential to take her exams, and to go to college.

Nguba is one of more than 2,000 children stolen from their parents by Islamic militants since 2014. Many of the boys were armed and forced to shoot people, some from their own villages. Those who refuse were killed. The girls were forced to convert to Islam, compelled to become servants, used as prostitutes, and married off to their captors, often, men old enough to be their fathers.

Nguba was forced at gunpoint to get onto a truck in the middle of the night. They drove for hours into the Sambisa Forest under the cover of darkness. During the ride, around 50 of the girls managed to jump off and escape.

The 219 remaining stayed in Boko Haram custody. Many were advocating on their behalf and the campaign #BringBackOurGirls attracted huge amounts of attention. The government negotiated for their return, with no results.

As time passed, fewer and fewer people remembered Nguba and her friends.

Their grieving parents began succumbing to stress-related illnesses. At least 18 died of these illnesses. Another three died in Islamist attacks. In 2015, Boko Haram would use 44 stolen children as suicide bombers, many of them young girls like Nguba.

In May 2016, one of the 219 was discovered. After escaping, she arrived at home with a 4-month-old baby, the child of a Boko Haram fighter.

On Oct. 13, parents and relatives finally had something to celebrate. Negotiations had finally been successful, and 21 of the girls were freed. Nguba was not among them. No one really knows her fate. There are 114 Chibok girls who are unaccounted for. Some are believed to have been killed. Others, may wish to stay with their abductors.

Please remember Nguba’s name. Remember that she was once a schoolgirl who planned to finish her exams at Chibok. She was a Christian. She had parents and siblings and a hope for the future that was stolen. Remember that she and each of the other 2,000 other children who were stolen still need your prayers.

“Ann Kay” is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.

“Ann Kay” is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.

November 14, 2016

Ali Sassi is a Tunisian man who always accepts a challenge. So when a Christian friend challenged him to demonstrate when and how the Bible had been changed (which nearly all Muslims believe has happened), Ali accepted the challenge. He figured he'd read the Bible for an evening and be able to demonstrate the changes.

Instead he spent two years reading and studying, and at the end of that time he was convinced that the Bible had not been changed, and that Jesus is the Son of God. His decision to follow Christ was costly as even his own family turned against him.

Today Ali works with Crescent Project to help train Christians to reach out boldly to Muslims--the same way a Christian reached out to him. His story will inspire you to pray for and reach out to share Jesus’s love with those around you.

November 11, 2016

Nine year old Cole Staples from South Carolina is making a difference in the lives of his persecuted family. Below, Cole shares in his own words how he got involved with VOM:

Photo: Cole explains in a letter what “I Am N” means to him.

“When my Mom got home from the (VOM) conference she gave me a packet that had many mail forms and people that are in jail. So when she gave me the packet, I looked through the people who were in jail and saw Mrs. Asia Bibi and so I decided I would pray for her. Then once I saw the envelopes I told myself every day after school I would work on the letter to her.

Once I mailed my first letter, I couldn’t stop writing letters. I just felt awesome writing to people overseas! So I wrote to people like Farshid Fathi, and Alireza Seyyedian and Imran Ghafur. Then by the time the month was over I had written like 6 letters to persecuted Christians.

Then I signed up for the Prisoner Alert. Then on Monday, October 10, 2016 I got a (VOM) email saying that a judge would tell Mrs. Bibi if she would be released or killed on Wednesday, October 13, 2016. So my family and I prayed hard. Then that day came. The (VOM) email said that the judge would not handle the case. We were relieved and still nervous the next judge would say to kill her. We have been waiting ever since for the next email. It makes me feel sad thinking about families that must go into hiding because of persecution. I really hope my story will inspire other kids to learn about and pray for our persecuted families.”

Find ways for your children to get connected with their persecuted family members at www.kidsofcourage.com and you can write a letter to Asia Bibi and other believers imprisoned for their faith at www.prisoneralert.com.